DEA National Take-Back set for Saturday

September 24, 2012

Everyone has heard the stories about pharmaceutical abuse in West Virginia; communities are plagued by prescription medication addiction. Area residents can help eliminate access to pharmaceuticals through proper disposal, which permanently removes these substances from our communities.

On Saturday, the DEA National Take-Back Initiative will provide the opportunity to remove all types of medications from your home or the home of loved ones. Expired, over-the-counter, discontinued and pet medications will all be accepted at this anonymous event.

Until recently people were advised to flush their old medications down the toilet to dispose of them. Unfortunately, this practice has a negative effect on the environment by directly introducing pharmaceutical compounds into waterways. It was not until recently that the Office of National Drug Control Policy changed these guidelines advising consumers to take their medication to a community take-back program.

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The take-back event is being locally organized by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Davis Health System, Randolph and Tucker County Family Resource Network, Randolph and Tucker County Sheriff's Department, Randolph County Department of Emergency Management, and TCdrugfree.

The Randolph County take-back will take place at the Elkins HomePlus on the corner of Buffalo and Randolph Ave. from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Tucker County take-back will take place at Community Care Pharmacy in Parsons from 9 a.m. to noon.

All types of medications will be anonymously collected during the event. Anyone with questions can call West Virginia Rivers Coalition at 304-637-7201. Other communities are advised to visit the DEA website, www.DEA.gov., for the nearest location.

Anyone who misses the DEA take-back still can properly dispose of non-controlled (no narcotics, mood altering medications or sleep aids) medications through an ongoing daily pharmaceutical collection program. West Virginia Rivers Coalition operates the West Virginia Consumer Drug Return Partnership, an ongoing take-back program throughout the state.

Collected medication is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner through a certified waste hauler. If you have medication you would like to bring to the WVCDRP please follow these simple rules: no controlled substances, no sharp items or liquid over 4 ounces. Regionally, with local partner Davis Health System, three takebacks are scheduled:

Consumers can bring their unwanted medication in during regular pharmacy hours. More information about this program is available by calling West Virginia Rivers Coalition at 304-637-7201 or emailing Kathleen Tyner at ktyner@wvrivers.org. Information on the program also can be found at www.wvrivers.org.